Improvement in wagon-axle boxes



a. B. DUBKEEY.

Wagon-Axle Boxes.

N0.157,279' Patented 086.1,1874.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE B. DURKEE, 0E ALDEN, NEwroRK.

IMPROVEMENTJN WAGON-AXLE BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 157,279, dated December1, 1874; application filed September 8, 1874.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE B. DURKEE, of Alden, in the county of Erieand State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Axle-Boxesfor Wagons, of which the following is a specification:

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectionof an axle-box provided with my improvements. Fig. 2 is a side elevationthereof. Fig. 3 is a section in line a: a, Fig. 1. Fig. 4c is a frontview of the screw-cap at the end of the axle-box. 5 is a section in line1 y, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary bottom-plan view of the rear jointof the axle-box. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a wrench for thescrew-cap and nut at the front end of the axle-box. Fig. 8 is a planview thereof. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the packing at the rearend of the box.

The wrench represented by Figs. 7 and 8 forms no part of thisapplication as I intend to make a separate application therefor. I haveshown and described it here as a convenient implement with which to turnthe annular nut and screw-cap, as hereinafter explained.

Like letters of reference designate like parts in each of the figures.

A is-the journal, formed with a socket, A, to receive the end of theaxle. B is the axlebox, fitting on the journal A, and enlarged at theouter end, so as to form an oil-reservoir, b, around the end of thejournal. 0 is a cylindrical nut, screwing into the end of the journalwithin the enlargement b of the box, and bearing against the ofi'set orshoulder thereof. It is provided with notches c to receive the end of asuitable wrench. D is a cap, screwing into the threaded end of theenlargement b of the box, and provided with a, flange, d, andpacking-ring d, forming a tight joint with the end of the box. The cap Dis also provided with a hole, 6, for the introduction of the oil, inwhich fits a screw-plug, f. The inner end of the journalis formed with ashoulder, g, for the inner end of the box B, and also with a flange, h,as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The inner end of the box B is formedwith an annular groove or recess, 1', leaving a small flange or rim, is,on the inner end of the box, and a larger flange, l, on the outer sideof the groove i, corresponding with the flange h of the journah m is apacking, consisting of a strap or band, which is slotted, except at theends, as clearly shown in Fig. 9, and fits with its outer portion in thegroove 2', while its inner portion rests on the part of the journalbetween the flange h and shoulder g, the flange k of the box projectinginto the slot of the packing. The packing m is secured in place, so asto be stationary, by slipping it over a pin, a, projecting from theupper side of the journal. The ends of the packing m do not meet on thelower side of the journal, but leave a small open space between them, asshown in Fig. 6. 0 is a fastening-strap placed over the packing m, andheld stationary by the pin a in the same manner as the former. The strap0 is secured by a buckle, 0, or other suitable device, preferablyarranged on the under side of the journal, so as to leave an openingover the space between the ends of the packing m, as clearly shown inFig. 6.

The joint at the inner end of the axle-box being packed, except at onepoint, any oil which may escape wilfwork to the outer edge of the flange7c in the unpacked space on the under side of the journal. As the wheelrevolves the end of the packing m on each side of this unpacked spaceoperates to wipe off the flange 7c and adjacent parts, and prevents theoil from being carried around with the box.

By this mode of packing the oil is prevented from escaping at the 'innerend of the box, except on the under side thereof, where any oil that mayescape will drop directly to the ground without being carried aroundwith the hub, which would cause it to spread over the hub and axle, andsoil and disfigure the same by the dust and dirt which collect andadhere to the portions thus wet with the oil.

The packing m, as it becomes worn, can be readily replaced by a new one.The strap 0 serves not only to retain the packing in place, but also toprotect the flange and packing from the dirt, which would otherwise workinto the joint and under the packing, and grind and wear away the parts.

P is the wrench for turning the annular nut c and screw-"cap D. It isprovided with a hollow cylindrical body, 10, which is placed over theround end of the cap D, and has a notch, 9, engaging over the head ofthe screw-plug ing cylindrical, it occupies much less space than whenmade of polygonal form, and enables the end of the box to be made ofcorrespondingly less diameter, which insures a more perfect fitting ofthe same into the hub.

I 'do not claim, broadly, an axle-box provided with an oil-reservoir atthe end, closed by a screw-cap, as such device is old and well known;but

What I claim as my invention is '1. The combination, with the box B,provided with oil-reservoir I), of the cylindrical nut c, screw-cap D,and packing d, all constructed as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with the journal A, provided with shoulder g andflange h, of the box B, provided with groove 2', flanges k l, and

packing m, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

' GEO. B. DURKEE. Witnesses:

J. J. BONNER, ERNEsT- HODDIGK.

